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Disney Releases ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ in 4K to Boost Cinemas – Variety

The Force is with U.K. cinemas this July as they plan to reopen doors with a remastered 4K edition of “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back,” Variety can reveal.

It’s understood the planned screenings mark the first time a “Star Wars” film from the original trilogy will be screened to cinema audiences in 4K. European cinema giant Vue will show the film in the U.K.

Thus far, the 4K edition of the 1980 film — the second title in the original trilogy, in which Luke Skywalker studies the Force with Yoda as the Galactic Empire pursues the Rebel Alliance — has only been made available on the studio’s streaming platform Disney Plus and via Blu-ray, where it was released in late March alongside 4K versions of the seven other Skywalker Saga films.

The contribution of the title is a prime example of how U.S. studios are leveraging the might of their immense libraries to help the exhibition sector get back on its feet.

Variety understands “The Empire Strikes Back” is, in fact, among a number of titles Disney is offering U.K. exhibitors, who are eyeing a July 4 reopening date.

The country’s cinemas are among the last businesses to open as part of the government’s economic recovery plan. When they do restart, it will have been more than three months since they were first shuttered across the week of March 16.

Cineworld confirmed Tuesday that it will reopen its U.K. and U.S. cinemas on July 10. The Mooky Greidinger-run firm operates cinema chains Regal in the U.S., Cineworld and Picturehouse in the U.K. and Ireland, Cinema City in Europe and Yes Planet in Israel.

Vue is also believed to be eyeing an early July restart across most of its U.K. cinemas. The business released in May a number of COVID-19 measures that it plans to instate across its venues, including physically isolating family groups through Vue’s online booking systems, staggering film times to maintain social distancing and introducing enhanced cleaning and employee protection protocols.

Disney declined to comment for this story.

This content was originally published here.

Meghan Markle’s first post royal exit job revealed as she voices a Disney documentary on elephants | Daily Mail Online

The Duchess of Sussex‘s first gig after quitting the royal family has been revealed – with Meghan voicing a Disney documentary on elephants.

Her collaboration with the popular film making company is set to benefit the Elephants Without Borders charity – an organisation dedicated to conserving wildlife and helps protect the animals from poaching.

Meghan agreed to do the voiceover after a direct request from filmmakers, and it is understood that she recorded it in London this autumn after seeing footage of the documentary.

A trailer for Elephant failed to give fans a glimpse of Meghan’s narration – but it did reveal that the story follows a ‘family’s extraordinary 1,000 mile journey across Africa on an adventure that will change their lives’.

It comes after the Duke of Sussex, 35, was filmed touting his wife’s voiceover skills to Disney boss Bob Iger at the UK premier of Lion King in July.

The royal couple are currently in Canada with their 10-month-old son Archie and are self-isolating in their Vancouver Island waterfront mansion.

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The Duchess of Sussex’s first gig after quitting the royal family has been revealed – with Meghan voicing a Disney documentary on elephants (pictured with Prince Harry)

Meghan’s collaboration (pictured) with the popular film making company is set to benefit the Elephants Without Borders charity – an organisation dedicated to conserving wildlife and helps protect the animals from poaching

The Disneynature documentary will start streaming on April 3 on Disney+, three days after she and Harry quit as senior royals, the company revealed today.

It sees African elephant Shani and her spirited son Jomo as they are led by their great matriarch, Gaia, across the Kalahari Desert.

They will face dwindling resources and vicious predators as they try to follow their ancestor’s footsteps to a green paradise.

Last year, the Duchess joked that she and Harry attended the premiere of The Lion King in London, to ‘pitch’ for work, footage from the event revealed.

The Duke of Sussex (left) chats with Disney CEO Robert Iger as Meghan (second right) embraces singer-songwriter Beyonce

Make like Meghan in a little black dress by Jason Wu

The Lion King European premiere had quite a turnout, with Beyonce, Elton John and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex all making an appearance.

Meghan made a statement in a black fit and flare dress by Jason Wu for the A-list occasion. Sitting just below the knee, the glamorous black gown is designed with a sheer neckline and sleeves and a full skirt. We love the silk-satin finish, and how she completed the look with Nikos Koulis earrings, a pair of Aquazurra pumps and a Gucci clutch bag.

Sadly this dress has now sold out, but you can buy the jacquard-textured version at Farfetch now (click right), or recreate the look with one of the dresses lined up below.

The Duke was also filmed touting his wife’s voiceover skills to Disney boss Bob Iger at the occasion in July.

In the shocking video, Prince Harry pointed to his wife and said: ‘You do know she does voiceovers?’ A surprised Mr Iger replies: ‘I did not know that’, before Harry continues: ‘You seem surprised, she’s really interested’.

The Disney boss says: ‘We’d love to try. That’s a great idea,’ while Meghan, who was next to Prince Harry, continues speaking to Beyonce.

Meghan gave up a successful career as an actress – with her most prominent role being is US legal drama Suits – when becoming engaged to Prince Harry in 2017.

But the arrangement with Disney hints at Meghan’s future career plans, which could see the couple use their celebrity status to benefit chosen causes.

A trailer for Elephant (pictured) revealed that it ‘follows one family’s extraordinary 1,000 mile journey across Africa on an adventure that will change their lives’

The arrangement with Disney hints at Meghan’s future career plans, which could see the couple use their celebrity status to benefit chosen causes. Pictured: The actress in London earlier this month

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will officially end their roles as senior royals on March 31 as they ‘work to become financially independent’.

Last month, it was revealed that Meghan could make $100 million this year if she accepts all the offers that come her way, media executive Simon Huck has claimed.

Speaking to The Morning Toast Simon, 36, from Canada, owner of the public relations firm Command Entertainment Group, claims his agency was ‘flooded’ with ‘huge’ offers of work for the former actress in the wake of Megxit.

Simon, who is a close friend of Kim Kardashian, is not believed to be representing Meghan, but has been inundated regardless.

Meanwhile, bosses of The Simpsons have revealed they want the duchess to appear in their popular comedy.

It comes as bosses of the Simpsons revealed they’d like Meghan to do some voiceover work with them after the Duchess steps back from royal life (pictured: A Simpsons version of Meghan in front of Buckingham Palace)

Prince Harry, 35, and Meghan Markle, 38, as they arrived at this year’s Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey in London on March 9

The programme’s showrunner and executive producer Al Jean discussed the prospect of the cameo in an interview with the Radio Times, and said Meghan should ‘give him a call’ about the idea.

He revealed: ‘We’ve talked about Harry and Meghan. I hear she wants to do voiceover work. So if they’re reading this, give us a call.’

After visiting the UK for their final engagements this month, Prince Harry and Meghan returned to Canada, where they are currently living with their son, 10-month-old Archie.

The royal couple are holed up at their Vancouver Island waterfront mansion amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Meanwhile, Prince Harry has taken a keen interest in African conservation projects over the years and in 2017 he became the president of African Parks.

In May 2019, the royal couple were given a rare honour by Disney – a beautiful watercolour Winnie-the-Pooh animation to celebrate the birth of the new royal baby.

Hand-drawn by senior principal artist Kim Raymond, the heartwarming story depicts the world’s favourite bear delivering a book to Archie.

This content was originally published here.

David Lynch Is Coming to Disney+ | IndieWire

Any parent hoping to watch a David Lynch movie with the whole family is in luck starting in April. Disney+ has announced Lynch’s 1999 Disney movie “The Straight Story” will be available to stream next month, which is exciting news as the movie has been hard to come by in recent years on streaming. “The Straight Story” is available to purchase on YouTube and Amazon, but Disney+ subscribers will be able to stream the biographical drama as part of their membership staring April 3.

“The Straight Story” is an outlier in Lynch’s challenging and experimental filmography, with the majority of his movies only be suitable for adult viewers. Co-written by John Roach and Mary Sweeney, “The Straight Story” tells the true story of Alvin Straight, who made headlines in 1994 for journeying across Iowa and Wisconsin on a lawn mower. The cast includes Richard Farnsworth, Sissy Spacek, and regular Lynch collaborator Harry Dean Stanton. Farnsworth was nominated for the Oscar for Best Actor thanks to his performance in the leading role.

Disney released “The Straight Story” in October 1999, several months after it competed for the Palme d’Or at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival. The drama was a box office bomb, grossing $6.2 million in North America on a $10 million budget, but it was critically acclaimed (96% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it became well known for being the first Lynch movie Roger Ebert assigned a positive review. The film was wedged between Lynch’s “Lost Highway” and “Mulholland Drive” and proves Lynch’s love for character and the American heartland can shine through even without the experimental provocations of his best work.

Check out more of the titles coming to Disney+ in the lists below.

Disneynature
“African Cats”
“Chimpanzee”
“Bears”
“Born in China”
“Crimson Wing”
“Monkey Kingdom”
“Wings of Life”

National Geographic
“America’s National Parks”
“Wild Yellowstone”
“The Flood”
“JANE”
“Before the Flood”
“Planet of the Birds”
“Sea of Hope: America’s Underwater Treasures”
“Kingdom of the White Wolf”
“Tree Climbing Lions”
“Hostile Planet”
“Wild Russia”
“One Strange Rock”
“Giants of the Deep Blue”
“Kingdom of the Blue Whale”
“Great Migrations”
“Earth Live”
“Winged Seduction: Birds of Paradise”
“Into the Grand Canyon”

A Selection of New Additions
“Doctor Doolittle”
“A Tale of Two Critters”
“In a Nutshell”
“Don’s Fountain of Youth”
“Don’s Fountain of Youth”
“Donald’s Dog Laundry”
“Double Dribble”
“Dragon Around”
“Elmer Elephant”
“How to Play Football”
“Lambert, The Sheepish Lion”
“On Ice”
“Out of Scale”
“Penguins”
“Pluto’s Party”
“Sea Scouts”
“Sonny with a Chance”
“The Boy Who Talked to Badgers”
“The New Neighbor”
“The Small One”
“The Straight Story”

This content was originally published here.

‘Call Of The Wild’ Starring Harrison Ford Is Disney’s Latest Dud In Theaters

Disney recently released the movie The Call of the Wild. The movie is based on a novel written in 1903 and a remake of the 1935 film. Harrison Ford is the star of the film, set in the 1890s Klondike Gold Rush. The film follows Harrison’s character and a dog named Bucky.

Unfortunately, the movie will reportedly lose around $50 million for Disney. The film cost around $125 million to make, mostly because of the use of CGI. The use of CGI in the movie has been criticized by many movie critics, but regular moviegoers seem to like it based on reviews online.

‘Call of the Wild’ reboot is Disney’s latest dud in theaters

call of the wild harrison ford — ‘Call of the Wild’ / Disney

However, after two weeks in theaters, the film has only made around $45 million in the United States and $79 million globally. At this rate, there is no way the movie will even break even for Disney. Although, they are reportedly working with TSG, so they may not lose that much money.

harrison ford call of the wild movie — Harrison Ford in ‘Call of the Wild’ / Disney

While films like The Lion King and Captain Marvel did very well last year, Disney has also had a lot of duds lately. The Call of the Wild joins Dark Phoenix, Underwater, Stuber, and Spies in Disguise as flops in theaters.

Have you seen The Call of the Wild? What do you think about it?

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The post ‘Call Of The Wild’ Starring Harrison Ford Is Disney’s Latest Dud In Theaters appeared first on DoYouRemember? – The Home of Nostalgia. Author, Lauren Novak

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Disney’s Upcoming PLANET OF THE APES Film Will Reboot the Franchise

A couple of months ago we learned that Disney and Fox Studios were moving forward with plans to develop a new Planet of the Apes film. Maze Runner director Wes Ball was hiredto write and helm the Apes project, but we didn’t know at the time if it would continue the past franchise or report the franchise again.

According to Discussing Film, the film will be developed as a reboot and will not continue the story that was developed over the course of the past three films. I was actually kinda hoping that this new film would continue that story, but Disney obviously has different plans.

The report goes on to speculate that this film might just act as a reboot to the original 1968 film. The film is targeting to begin filming later this year, which likely will mean a 2022 release date.

The original 1968 Planet of the Apes was based on a novel by Pierre Boulle, the story of which centers on an astronaut who lands on a planet and discovers an advanced civilization of apes ruling over primitive humans. In the big twist of the story, the astronaut learns he is actually on Earth, which had suffered an apocalyptic nuclear war. That was quite a mind-blowing ending!

It was also reported that Daniel Dorrance has been hired as the film’s production designer. He previously worked with Ball on films such as Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials and Maze Runner: The Death Cure, he was also a part of the production design team for Wes Ball’s Mouse Guard film that was canceled following Disney’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox.

What do you think about this new Planet of the Apes movie possibly being a reboot?

This content was originally published here.

Disney Reportedly Considering Making a New “Nightmare Before Christmas” Film

“What’s this? What’s this?”

It appears Disney might be taking us back to Halloweentown and the realm of Jack Skellington. As the entertainment conglomerate continues to take advantage of its most successful and popular story brands–through all means from attractions and merchandise to remakes and Disney+ shows–their next target just might be the cult classic, The Nightmare Before Christmas.

The rumor emerges from culture site, moviehole.com. Their anonymous source states that discussions are underway at Disney to “do something with “Nightmare Before Christmas” – probably a sequel but live-action possible.” The source comes with some accreditation after successfully leaking factual information to the site previously. Disney has yet to confirm or deny this rumor.

But, we have reason to keep the idea of another Nightmare Before Christmas film well within the realm of possibility. Disney has spent the past few years manufacturing reboots and sequels of their most iconic and successful IPs. And while the studio approached these remakes and sequels with a-list casts and groundbreaking cinematography work, fans have begun to grow sick of the recycling.

However, it is doubtful that a sequel to Nightmare–executed properly–would be unwelcome by fans. Many of the fans who grew up with the original would have children by now. A sequel would give those parents an opportunity to now bring their kids to see the story continued, just like they did with the films of Star Wars’ Skywalker Saga and Marvel’s Infinity Saga. New chapters of the story for a new generation.

The Nightmare Before Christmas

The stop-motion masterpiece starring Danny Elfman and produced by Tim Burton is just as popular as–if not more so than–it was when it premiered in 1993. The audience is swept away to Halloweentown where Jack Skellington, the pumpkin king, caps off “the most horrible” Halloween yet. But, despite the praise, he feels empty and bored with the same ghostly routine. Jack then journeys to Christmastown where he gets the idea to dump Halloween and take over this new holiday. Mayhem ensues as Jack and the town struggle to take Santa’s place.

Some of the characters have already found a home in the Disney Parks. They take over the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland every Christmas season. Jack and Sally have a meet and greet station during Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, and guests can meet Jack’s holiday alter-ego “Sandy Claws” during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. The film’s villain, the Oogie-Boogie Man, is also known to make appearances during Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and the new Disney Villains After Hours at Walt Disney World.

What do you think of having a Nightmare Before Christmas sequel? How do you think Disney could pull it off? Let us know in the comments!

The post Disney Reportedly Considering Making a New “Nightmare Before Christmas” Film appeared first on Inside the Magic.

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‘National Treasure 3’ Is Reportedly In The Works, Thanks To Disney

After 13 long years, Disney and Jerry Bruckheimer will reportedly finally move forward with ‘National Treasure 3’

Sixteen years ago, our lives were changed: Jon Turteltaub’s National Treasure hit theaters, and never were we ever so invested in the Declaration of Independence than when we watched Nicolas Cage’s character Benjamin Franklin Gates embark on an extreme treasure hunt for the document.

Though the film received mixed reviews from critics, the film was a hit at the box office, grossing nearly $350 million worldwide. Three years later, the sequel arrived in theaters, making even more money worldwide: a whopping $457 million. But, that’s where the story of the amateur cryptologist ended ⁠— until now, that is.

According to Variety, Disney and Jerry Bruckheimer are finally moving ahead with a third National Treasure movie ⁠— and we, for one, couldn’t be more excited. Writing the script is Bad Boys for Life screenwriter Chris Bremner; and Bruckheimer, who produced the first two films, will reportedly return to produce the third.

This isn’t the first time Disney has toyed around with the idea of creating National Treasure 3, though. The film was first discussed by Disney chief Bob Iger at the annual shareholders meetings in 2016 and was later addressed last year.

“I know that Jerry Bruckheimer who produced National Treasure 1 and 2 would like to make a third movie, and I know that discussions about that film have gone on, probably since 2016, with our studio, but I know that they have not greenlit such a film,” Iger said last year. Iger added that “they have talked about a number of different possibilities both on the creative side” and that, from a timing perspective, he didn’t have anything to announce ⁠— though he did add that Bruckheimer’s passion for the franchise remained “pretty strong.” “We love those first two films, too,” Iger said, “but we’re not quite there yet.”

Barack Obama Stephen Colbert National Treasure GIF — CBS

In 2018, Turteltaub explained to Collider why Disney initially didn’t move forward with a third National Treasure film ⁠— and it has everything to do with money.

“When National Treasure first got made, there was a lot more money to go around. Everybody got paid nicely. The problem with getting the third one made isn’t the people who are getting paid saying, “I’m not doing it unless you pay me a lot!” It’s really that Disney feels they have other films they want to make that they think will make them more money,” Turteltaub said, adding that he thought Disney was wrong. “I think they’re right about the movies they’re making; they’re obviously doing a really good job at making great films. I just think this would be one of them, and they don’t quite realize how much the internet is begging for a third National Treasure.”

Ain’t that the truth. When the recent National Treasure 3 news hit the interview, people on Twitter were more than excited. They freaked.

https://twitter.com/jetpack/status/1218284285079109633

Fucking finally!!!!!

— Alfredo Sauce (@freddy25) January 17, 2020

A week ago I would’ve said, “nah, bruh.” But after seeing Bad Boys 3, and seeing that it’s gonna be the same writer… LET’S GO!!!!!

— Brian V (@thisisnotbrian) January 17, 2020

Literally what more could a girl want pic.twitter.com/zt8hfElxAL

— Mel (@melamy94) January 18, 2020

In addition to Cage, the National Treasure franchise also stars Justin Bartha, Jon Voigt, and Diane Kruger. And we can only hope they’ll also return for National Treasure 3.

The post ‘National Treasure 3’ Is Reportedly In The Works, Thanks To Disney appeared first on Scary Mommy.

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SPACE CAMP Remake to Blast Off for Disney+

Disney+ has a metric ton of classic films from their legendary vault, many available for the very first time in years. However, one of those old and nearly forgotten films Disney gained the rights to as part of the merger with Twentieth Century Fox isn’t part of it. But it is getting a remake for the modern era for the new streaming service. Get ready to enroll in Space Camp one more time, all you amateur astronauts out there!

According to a story from The Hollywood Reporter, the 1986 family adventure film Space Camp is getting a 21st century update from SNL writers Mikey Day and Streeter Seidell. This is the third movie that the duo is writing for Disney+, as they also wrote the upcoming Home Alone reboot, as well as a new live-action version of Inspector Gadget.

Twentieth Century Fox

The original Space Camp film featured a who’s who of young ’80s actors. Among them were Back to the Future’s Leah Thompson, Kelly Preston, Tate Donovan, and very young Joaquin Phoenix, then going by the name Leaf Phoenix. It’s fair to say at that time, he was basically known as River Phoenix’s baby brother, as his elder sibling was the much bigger star and teen heartthrob. The original Space Camp film was created in the midst of America’s NASA love affair, when Space Shuttle missions captured the national imagination.

Unfortunately, the movie came out a mere six months after the Challenger incident, which took the lives of seven astronauts, including civilian teacher Christa McAuliffe. The mood for a movie where a bunch of kids are put in danger on a space mission decidedly not what audiences wanted to see just a mere few months after the tragedy, and the movie bombed at the box office. It cost some $25 million to make, and only made $10 million, a disaster for Twentieth Century Fox. Nevertheless, thanks to cable and VHS, the film found a second life and became something of a cult classic.

Twentieth Century Fox

Although we’re pretty sure it’s nothing like the movie, there is indeed a real life Space Camp, and it’s been in operation since 1982. This educational retreat is located in Huntsville, Alabama, on the same grounds of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center museum. It has programs for both kids and adults on space exploration, aviation and robotics. The Alabama Space Science Exhibit Commission currently runs Space Camp. Nearly a million campers have graduated since the camp first opened its doors some 38 years ago, several of which have actually gone on to become astronauts.

Space Camp still seems like the perfect vehicle for a Disney+ movie. It has enough name recognition to get people to check it out, but maybe not enough to get millions to pay money for a movie ticket. Of course, the real coup would be for Disney to get Joaquin Phoenix to cameo as an older version of his character Max from the original film. Maybe he’s in charge of the camp now, after his heroics as a kid? The original movie was his first film after all, so maybe Phoenix has a soft spot for it in his heart. It would certainly get a lot more eyeballs on it these days if the Joker made a guest appearance, that’s for sure!

Featured Image: Twentieth Century Fox

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